Seeing Star Trek V, summer of 89..

[Nerdius Maximus]

I was ten years old, and my parents at the time were going through just a dreadful divorce. I equated my mother to that of that chick from catspaw- aka a major pain in the ass for my dad.

That being said, I remember the hot summer day my father took me to see Trek V. I remember having a major headache that day, and just felt down about the divorce impending with my rents. So when we got to the theater my eyes instantly lit up seeing all the Star Trek V gear the theater was selling in Middletown, NY. They had movie posters, T-shirts, hats, toys. I've never seen anything like it for a Star Trek movie.

Anyway when the lights dimmed my problems went away for the next hour and change. I remember walking out of the theater, and both my dad and I thought it was "pretty good". It was one of those movies that grew on us more years down the line. The best line of the film that could be used on anyone really was " I couldn't help but notice your pain!". So for as much bashing as this movie gets, it had its moments.

I think had it been released in the fall it would have grossed about 30 million more. There is no way batman, lethal weapon 2, Indiana Jones, Karate Kid, Ghostbusters 2 didn't not hurt Trek at the box office. That summer was just insane in terms of competition.

does anyone else remember seeing it when it came out in 89?

Yeah, I was about 12 or 13. I liked it, and I still have a certain fondness for it, even though as I grew older I started to recognize its flaws. Even so, I knew that I didn't like it as much as I did TVH. But I've never thought it was as horrible as its made out to be. Lots of great Kirk/Spock/McCoy moments in that movie.

 

[Nerdius Maximus]

I saw Trek V in the Theater in 1989, I was 13 years old. I don't remember my initial impressions of the movie, but my parents who were (and still are) Trekkies didn't like it very much. I watch the DVD every so often and don't mind it so much, it has its faults, but I dig it.

One reason why I probably don't remember my initial reactions to Star Trek V is because once I saw Batman in 1989 that was it. I had already been a long time comic book reader up to that point, so that movie defines the 1989 summer for me the most.

I do recall building a NCC-1701-A model that year though, not a very good one, but I remember it hanging from my ceiling for years after.

I was obsessed with Batman from the summer of '89 up until at least March of 1990. Got it on VHS for Christmas and watched it probably at least once a day.

 

[BriGuy]

Two words...

Rocket boots.

Ugh.

 

[Therin of Andor]

My friends and I had followed the making of STs II, III and IV very closely. We often laughed at rumours that Shatner, fresh from his directing stints on "TJ Hooker", wanted to direct a ST movie and put in some "running and jumping" for the ST characters, and that since Nimoy had directed two ST movies and Shatner and Nimoy had "favoured nations" contracts, then Shatner could insist on directing ST V.

During the premiere screening, one of our friends noticed - with great hilarity - that shot of Kirk climbing in Yosemite: the sun literally shines from Kirk's ass!

As we left the cinema, there was that poster of the seatbelted cinema chair on the wall: "Why are they putting seatbelts in theatres this summer?" - and we just lost it!

"To stop people leaving early!" we cried.

We had a lot of fun watching ST V, but not for all the right reasons. Ditto reading the "Making of..." book by Shatner's daughter. Unintentional hilarity.

 

[ConRefit79]

I saw Star Trek V when it came out. I was looking forward to the film. I enjoyed most of the story. I went to see again weeks after its release. Unfortunately, the effects were a major let down. But I've learned to over look that flaw. That does not mean I would not buy an updated DVD with new effects. Oh, change the deck #'s so people will shut up about that.

I keep seeing people bringing up the Great Barrier plot hole. I realize it would take years to get their, but this is not the only Trek story that fudged how long it takes to get from point A to point B. Did scientists know or suspect the center of the Galaxy is a super black hole? I don't see people complaining about the Great Barrier at the edge of the Galaxy.

The real problem was some of Shatner's acting. He was such a ham. Since he was directing the film, there was no one to rein him in.

 

[Maurice]

I saw all the Trek films in the theater except for Nemesis, all first run.

I remember groaning my way through V. It was obvious they decided to try to run with the TVH funny, but they were doing it at the cost of the characters. The lame jokes, the clumsy plotting, Sybok's getting a new do between the bridge and Sha-ka-ree, and the pointless inclusion of the Klingons all told me it was a rotten film. The bargain basement effects were just runny icing on a fallen cake.

The only thing that svaes any of it is the sheer charisma of the lead three, which is why, awful as it is, I'd still choose it over any of the charismaless TNG films.

 

[Botany Bay]

does anyone else remember seeing it when it came out in 89?

Yep, I was about the same age as you actually

I remember the big marketing campaign - comic book, novel, poster book, making -of book, behind the scenes magazines. There were TV ads, clips on the news - it was big.

I remember even at that age thinking that the special effects were not too special

I remember thinking TVH (the greatest movie ever made to a 10 year old!) was better, but TFF was new Star Trek, and I still loved it.

The other thing I remember about '89 was Batman - bat symbols and hype for that crappy Batman movie everywhere.

In the weeks after the vitriolic fan reviews and bitter comments from the cast started appearing, and TFF seemed to take the mantle of worst film which it seemed to hold until the days of Berman films.

 

[Botany Bay]

As we left the cinema, there was that poster of the seatbelted cinema chair on the wall: "Why are they putting seatbelts in theatres this summer?" - and we just lost it!

"To stop people leaving early!" we cried.

That's great.

 

[Ward Fowler]

I went to see it opening night and was quite excited. I still remember the date it opened Friday, June 9 because I had watched the tv commercials over and over again. My mom, dad, brother-in-law and sister all came with me. I loved the movie (and still do) but my family was less enthused. My brother-in-law a redneck and ex-marine, said that it didn't have enough innards (blood and guts) for him to enjoy it. Thankfully he was being somewhat sarcastic. My older brother and I went to see it a week later and he ended up really liking the movie. Of course part of my enjoyment of the movie could have come from the fact that I read the novelization before seeing the movie.

 

[Kirby]

I was 20 when TFF hit the screens and I saw it twice on opening day, once with some friends at the first showing of the day, and again with my girlfriend later that night.
I've seen all the Trek movies in the theater and this was the first time I saw people in costume for the show. There were a couple of dorks in really bad klingon uniforms and some people in TOS uniforms.
Also, the crowd in both screenings cheered when Chekov turned around in the chair and said to Sybok "This is Captain Pavel Chekov of the Starship Enterprise."

 

[QuasarVM]

I was 20 when TFF hit the screens and I saw it twice on opening day, once with some friends at the first showing of the day, and again with my girlfriend later that night.
I've seen all the Trek movies in the theater and this was the first time I saw people in costume for the show. There were a couple of dorks in really bad klingon uniforms and some people in TOS uniforms.
Also, the crowd in both screenings cheered when Chekov turned around in the chair and said to Sybok "This is Captain Pavel Chekov of the Starship Enterprise."

How DARE you call those dorks in Klingon outfits "dorks"! You are SO INSENSITIVE!!!! Next thing you know you'll be referring to Starpigs and Granny Vulcans!

Youuuuuuuu...insensitivvvve...intolerant...bastard!!!!



I went dressed as "GOD" -- with long flowing ZZTop beard and robe. People were giving me strange looks and poured a diet Coke on some insensitive bastard who was laughing at me.*

Aach! I tought him a thing or two.

Then he kicked my Godlike ass for pouring Coke on him. It made me wish I could fire eye beams at him the way the God thing in the movie did.

*Fictional account designed to shamefully manipulate you into laughter. Does the idea of an audience member dressed up like God not strike you as funny?

Probably not. Oh well, you'll git over it.

 

[Ssosmcin]

Yep, I remember it clearly. I was there opening night, saw it four more times before seeing it two final times at a local drive in the following. They broadcast it over the AM radio so I audio taped it from my car.

I always enjoyed the film. Actually, unlike a lot of people here, I have NO idea what it's like to hate a Trek film.

 

[Sky]

During the premiere screening, one of our friends noticed - with great hilarity - that shot of Kirk climbing in Yosemite: the sun literally shines from Kirk's ass!

Now you've done it. I have to find the DVD and check it out.

As we left the cinema, there was that poster of the seatbelted cinema chair on the wall: "Why are they putting seatbelts in theatres this summer?" - and we just lost it!

"To stop people leaving early!" we cried.

Yup. I remember that poster.

My 12-year-old self loved some of the film but was hugely embarrassed by Uhura's fan dance. Even then.

 

[Atariboy]

As an 11 year old, I loved it. I thought it was interesting, exciting, and funny. A worthy follow-up to Trek IV (which was one of my favorite movies at the time and constantly being quoted in the household).

As an adult, I realize it's not made well and I place it in the lower rung of Trek films.

My favorite movie that summer was Indy III. I didn't like Ghostbusters II and Batman was 'meh.'

 

[Nardpuncher]

I saw it when I was 16.
The odd thing is there was a review in Cinefantastique magazine the morning the movie came out...how'd they review it for a magazine so fast?

Well, the review was honest, so I spent the rest of the day in a bit of a funk.

 

[Grant]

Two words...

Rocket boots.

Ugh.

Yes 'rocket boots' with a tiny wisp of smoke that look like they couldn't support a toy poddle let alone 3 men.

 

[trevanian]

Two words...

Rocket boots.

Ugh.

Yes 'rocket boots' with a tiny wisp of smoke that look like they couldn't support a toy poddle let alone 3 men.

And how much visible smoke comes out of an actual Bell rocket belt? None, just kicks up a helluva lot of dust.

 

[Jeffery_Tubes]

I saw it that summer with my girlfriend, we both enjoyed it. It had the best moments of "The Big Three" than any other film. I think Shatner really wanted to put out a good Trek movie but got shafted by the studio on the budget. If I was him, I would have forfeited my director's salary and put that towards the special effects. I mean, my name would be attached to the thing after all. At the very least I would have put up my own money (no strings attached) to cgi the effects on the special edition dvd. If any film needed cgi updating, it would be V.

 

[trevanian]

If I was him, I would have forfeited my director's salary and put that towards the special effects. I mean, my name would be attached to the thing after all.

Yeah, that's exactly what he should have done. It would have demonstrated something to the studio about his commitment, and even if they let him do it, it would have improved the look of the final product.

That's what Meyer threatened to do on TWOK, to redo the torp hit on the bridge, and it worked wonders ... Paramount was like 'no, you don't have to do that, we'll pony up the six figures' ... they might have been more happy to take shat's offer, though.

 

[CaptainStoner]

I think had it been released in the fall it would have grossed about 30 million more. There is no way batman, lethal weapon 2, Indiana Jones, Karate Kid, Ghostbusters 2 didn't not hurt Trek at the box office. That summer was just insane in terms of competition.

does anyone else remember seeing it when it came out in 89?

I often think the same of Nemesis. As bad as its weak points are, they're not that much more glaring that, say, the plot weakness in STXI. And STXI didn't have a Two Towers running against it.

I was in between 9th-10th grade with STV. I remember really liking the movie a lot. I had a WTF? moment with Uhura's strip-tease. But it was a fun ride. The old man God-face at the end produced audible groans from the audience. I think the film had overbuilt the idea that the crew was going to meet God, so the let-down was natural enough. I think a lot of people had trouble shifting gears that fast from "about to meet God" to "Alien of the week".

What's wrong with rocket boots? Makes a lot more sense than a dune buggy did.

Interesting to note: STV made 40 million dollars worldwide. That's a big profit for a "flop" I'd say. Compared to NEM's 6 million, STV was a blockbuster.
I nominate Deforest Kelley as MVP actor for STV. He has the funniest lines, and the deepest scenes, the one with his Father still gets me.